Audi F1 Chief confirms meeting with Mick Schumacher as battle for 2025 seat intensifies

Audi F1 chief Mattia Binotto has confirmed talks over Mick Schumacher’s possible place in Audi’s Sauber team for the 2025 season. After losing his position at Haas at the end of the 2022 season and spending the following years as reserve driver for Mercedes, this opportunity could be Schumacher’s last chance to regain a competitive position in the sport.

With Audi’s takeover of Sauber underway and expected to culminate in early 2025, the team is undergoing significant organizational changes. Binotto, who brings experience from his tenure at Ferrari, now leads the team as Chief Technical Officer. Under his leadership, the team will be tasked with putting together a driver line-up that can lead Audi’s long-term vision in Formula 1. Binotto has spoken candidly about Schumacher as a candidate, telling Autosport:

“We will certainly evaluate him.

“I met him and talked to him. I have known him for a long time because he was part of the Ferrari Driver Academy. I know its strengths and advantages. He is one of the names we have in mind.”

Audi faces the choice between integrating seasoned expertise or carefully investing in a less experienced driver. Valtteri Bottas and F2 talent Gabriel Bortoleto are among the other candidates being considered, although contractual complications surrounding Bottas, who wants a multi-year contract, complicate matters. Binotto elaborated on the team’s deliberations, saying:

“We can afford the luxury of not rushing as all the other teams have set their positions.

“There are two essential options: on the one hand, experience to put us on the growth path. On the other side is a young, talented driver who can guide us on the road to the top.”

Binotto added:

“We are at the beginning of the climb. Before us lies Everest, and now we can only see the base.

“We decide which side to climb, but it is important to map out a path. If we compare ourselves to our opponents, we have about 400 fewer people. We need to add them to compete at the same level: they cannot be found in two days, and not necessarily in F1. Our choice is to invest in young people.”

As Audi prepares to rebrand as Sauber and become a formidable competitor in F1, inspired by the success timelines of Mercedes and Ferrari under influential leaders like Jean Todt, Binotto opened up on the timeframe the team is targeting for a Formula 1 win :

“Other teams have taken years to reach the top.

“(Jean) Todt joined Maranello in 1993 and the first constructors’ title was in 1999. The same goes for Mercedes. It will take five to seven years. We expect to be able to fight in 2030.”